In the midst of economic tensions between USA y China, Walmart decided to take a step that could change the course of the commercial war: the retail chain asked its suppliers In the Chinese provinces of Jiangsu and Zhejiang that immediately retake shipments to US soil.
The decision, originally reported by the South China Morning Postarrives after weeks of deceleration in imports due to the increase in tariffs driven by the government of donald Trumphowever, It is expected that repercussions affect, to a greater extent, consumers, due to the impact that will be on products prices.
What does this change mean to Walmart customers?
With this movement, Walmart makes it clear that he is not willing to stop his operations despite tariff pressures. According to statements from Chinese businessmen to the Asian environment, the retail giant confirmed that new taxes, which reach up to 245 percent in some products, will not be absorbed by suppliers, but by US consumers.
Besides, Shipments will now be done under the FOB modality (Free On Board), which transfers customs responsibility directly to the buyer in the United Statessituation that involves leaving behind the DDP system (Delivered Duty Paid), in which exporters covered those expenses.
Walmart continues while Donald Trump hardens his speech
The reactivation of import orders by Walmart coincides with contradictory statements of the president Donald Trump. While recently he announced a tightening in tariffs for Chinese products, also He expressed his willingness to reduce them “considerably.”
The president even claimed to have talked with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinpingalthough from Beijing the existence of that call was denied. Despite the crossing of versions, analysts in China suggest that there could be ongoing informal negotiations, so Walmart’s decision would then be a business reading that the commercial conflict could be relaxed soon.
In contrast to the retail chain, Amazon decided not to implement a system that clearly shows tariff costs to its users. This decision was harshly criticized by the White House, which considered it a “political act” and reactivated former accusations about alleged links between the company and Chinese state media.
Who really loses in this commercial war?
Walmart’s return to imports from China is not only a logistics strategy: It also works as an indicator of the real impact of tariff policy. Far from punishing China, Rates will affect US householdsespecially to low and medium income families that depend on the low prices of the retailer.
The situation seems to highlight the wear and tear of a commercial strategy based solely on unilateral pressure. Without a solid national industrial network or sufficient internal subsidies, protectionism becomes a decisive factor in inflation, without guaranteeing the recovery of jobs in USA.
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